Ferrell's W Spoof Bright Spot on Dark B'way

We thought its opening was poorly timed, but at the New York Post Michael Reidel informs us that You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush, Will Ferrell's one-man George W. Bush comedy show, leads Broadway with a $5 million advance sale and is considering extending its eight-week run at the Cort. (Actually it's not completely one-man; Reidel reports that at one point Ferrell "does some wild dancing with a Condoleezza Rice look-alike.") The show is currently in previews. Read Michael Musto's new interview with Will Ferrell here.

Broadway could use some good news. Variety reports that last week cumulative ticket sales were down $2 million to an anemic $13.9 million. (For purposes of comparison, the sales record Broadway set in the last week of 2006 was $29.1 million.) 9 to 5, the musical retread of the Dolly Parton movie set to open in April, is the subject of a lawsuit. No wonder Patti LuPone flipped out!